Australia’s 3G network in its final hours: What you should check

The technology that has enabled millions of Australians to connect to the world through their mobile phones is being shut down this week.

The first high-speed mobile network, 3G, was launched in Australia in 2003, but has been overtaken by better and faster connections.

While Vodafone has begun shutting down its 3G network between December 2023 and January 2024, Telstra and Optus will do the same at 12.01am AEDT on Monday.

Why is this happening? Will you be affected? What should you do if you are? Here’s what you need to know.

Why is 3G shutting down in Australia?

As technology advances, the use of 3G has gradually declined, and this trend is expected to continue.

to focus its efforts and resources on improving 4G, improving capacity, speed and reliability while accelerating the growth of 5G services.

Optus vice president of government and regulatory affairs, Andrew Sheridan, said: “After we switch off 3G, customers will enjoy the benefits of the Optus 4G and 5G network.”

Dr Faycal Bouhafs, a wireless communications researcher at the University of New South Wales, said 4G and 5G networks offer better connectivity.

“If you move to 4G and 5G, you’re going to have better performance, better quality of service in terms of connectivity,” he previously told SBS News.

Australia isn’t the only country to shut down 3G.

Most 2G and 3G services in the United States have been phased out by the end of 2022, and China has completed most of its shutdowns by the end of 2023.

Singapore started its countdown from July 2024 and the UK will phase out 2G and 3G by 2033.

Will my phone still work after turning off the 3G network?

The telcos have contacted affected customers individually, but if you haven’t been contacted yet, it’s still a good idea to check if your device will be affected.

Telstra managing director Vicki Brady said they had been contacting customers about the need to prepare and make the move for almost five years.

“This has included multiple letters, bill messages, SMSes, public awareness campaigns, advertising – even door knocking and sending out freephones to people in vulnerable circumstances, and our customer support will not end in the day the network will shut down,” Brady said in a press release.

One way to check if your device is affected is to text the number 3 to 3498 from the device you think may be affected.

Alternatively, you can enter your mobile phone’s 15-digit international mobile equipment identification number into the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association checker.

What will stop working after shutdown?

If your device was manufactured before 2019, it may be affected.

It’s important to note that not only 3G devices will be affected. Some newer 4G models, particularly those purchased overseas or imported, may also be affected if they are not configured for Australian networks or do not support 4G.

Faraz Hasan, a telecommunications expert at the University of New England, previously told SBS News: “There are some 4G devices that are configured by their manufacturers to fall back to 3G when they make triple zero calls.”

In addition to phones, other devices such as tablets, smartwatches, EFTPOS machines, fire alarms, medical equipment, security cameras, scanners and agricultural machinery that rely on 3G will be affected.

For those with non-standard devices connected to the 3G network, such as medical equipment, Telstra recommends contacting their specialist provider to find a suitable alternative.

Do I need to update my phone after shutdown?

If your phone is found to be unaffected by the shutdown, you don’t need to take any action at this time. However, as recommended by TV companies, it is advisable to update your device software in the future to ensure optimal network performance.

Replacing the SIM card in a device that will be affected by the shutdown is not a solution. You will need to switch to a new phone compatible with 4G or 5G networks and configured to support VoLTE for emergency calls.

VoLTE is a technology that allows voice calls to be transmitted over a 4G network.

A screenshot of a text message exchange indicates that the device will not be affected by the 3G network shutdown.

You can find out if your device is affected by the 3G shutdown by texting 3 to 3498. Credit: given

Will the shutdown affect access to emergency services?

If your device relies on a 3G network, you’ll need to upgrade before midnight on Sunday 27 October to ensure you can continue to receive and make calls, including to Triple Zero.

It is not advisable to call Triple Zero to test your device.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your mobile device is compatible with 4G or 5G networks before the deadline.

What can I do with my old device that only had 3G?

If you need to replace your old phone, you may consider recycling it through the industry’s official mobile phone recycling program, MobileMuster.

You can find a drop-off point near you by visiting their website or choosing the free post-back option.

Don’t forget to delete your data before recycling.